New Art & Coffee photos by attendee Morgana Willborn

I love it when people come to ArtLoveMagic shows and take brilliant pictures. At our last Art & Coffee (every first Friday at It’s A Grind in Deep Ellum), a local photographer named Morgana Willborn showed up and took these images of our artists and attendees having a blast. Enjoy.

And if you show up with your camera to one of our shows and get some great images, let us know!

-ML

The rest of Morgana’s Art & Coffee shots can be see here:

http://morganawilborn.com/blog/?p=332

For more info on Art & Coffee, click here.

https://artlovemagic.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/the-evolution-of-art-coffee/

More of Morgana’s photography can be seen at:

www.morganawillborn.com

The evolution of Art & Coffee

post by Michael Lagocki
photos by Kelsey Paine, Josh Dryk, and Eddie Walker

I imagine most of you reading this have been to, or at least know of, Art & Coffee. This is our longest running show, a monthly Open Mic and Live Art experience that we do at coffee shops. The idea first started in 2008, when I met Bill Priestly, the owner of a new coffee shop, Saxbys, in North Dallas. I loved the shop and after talking to Bill, I wondered if artlovemagic could be impactful in bringing an audience out to a new establishment like his.

We were. For the next year or so, we did monthly shows there that were a little bit of a twist on the artlovemagic model. We opened the mic up to the audience and brought out a handful of live artists for a free show. Attendance was strong right from the beginning.  And we noticed several people would show up month after month. Art & Coffee was a success.

These days, we’ve moved the show down to Deep Ellum and we do it at the wonderful It’s A Grind. Again, this just came from one of our leaders walking into the place and having a conversation with them. They asked us to come and do four shows (that were very successful) and then we contracted for the rest of 2010.

One of the great things about this monthly show, is now that we have a few HUGE shows under our belt (see Underground & girlShow), we’re pretty comfortable doing a show this size. (Art & Coffee usually has about 6 artists in it- girlShow this year will have 60). We’ve become masters at setting it up, and especially tearing it down. We’re usually out the door 30 minutes after Art & Coffee closes.

It’s also become a learning ground for new producers. Melody Hay,  Amanda Davis, Josh Dryk. Michelle McSpadden, and many more first learned the ropes producing A & C before moving on to our BIG shows. Producing A&C entails selecting a group of artists, running a pre-meeting, supporting their team through marketing and getting ready for the show, and then being the lead person on the floor night of.

Producing is a blast. I always say that the production role is where you really get to author the stories in ArtLoveMagic. It’s not for everyone, but I’m thankful that we’ve found a few really great producers who love putting these shows together. And I’m thankful that we have a few dedicated souls who love this show and help it happen every month. Deb, KZach, Mario, Bookworm, Hammer, Eddie, Dugger and others… thank you so much.

But the best part of Art & Coffee is the talent. I LOVE scheduling talent to do these shows. There are two groups to schedule each time Art & Coffee rolls around- the live artists who will create during the show, and the feature performers who hold down the mic. While most of the mic is open to the audience, we always have a feature poet and feature musician, who each perform twice during the night.

I believe having a feature performer does two things that work well within our mission. First, it ensures the mic will have some strong performances. Usually this isn’t a problem as our audiences are pretty talented. More importantantly however, I believe it can grow the artists. It’s easy to find an open mic to perform at. It’s less common to find a feature spot, where you’re asked to be a lead performer and to set the tone, performing multiple times, and being annouced as someone to pay attention to. Sometimes we’re lucky enough to find performers who play solo shows all the time, other times we get to bless someone who hasn’t been honored this way and they get to grow.

So where are we now? Mid 2010 and the shows have been incredible lately. Last night Josh Dryk produced an Art & Coffee that I thought was just fantastic, everything it should be: a strong group of diverse artists, great crowd, incredible open mic with excellent features.

The show goes on. I’m producing the next Art & Coffee myself (July 2nd, 2010). It’s a veteran show. Given that it’s only one week before girlShow, I needed to staff it full of Art & Coffee vets who already know what they’re doing (including people like Justin Nygren, Eddie Walker, Rachel Deniger, and Tim Dugger).

Josh and Kelsey are lined up to produce an upcoming Art & Coffee, as is Michelle McSpadden. We’ve talked about doing a “family” Art & Coffee that would happen mid-day and focus on stuff kids and adults can do together. We’re talking about bringing back the “painting with coffee” interactive that was so popular at Saxbys. We’re looking for new talent that want to create, sing, recite, and produce. All in all, we’re loving it.

Art & Coffee continues to happen first Friday of every month at It’s A grind. It’s a great show, a very welcoming show, and I’m proud to say it’s become an important puzzle piece in this crazy story that is ArtLoveMagic. Come hang out with us and see if you love it to.

-ML

Live from the Deep Ellum Arts Festival: Day 1

words and photos by Michael Lagocki

Wow. It’s working. I was so proud of our crew tonight. Set up at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival was challenging to say the least. Rain delayed EVERYONE’S start time and ability to move fast. Across the whole festival, once the morning got off track with the weather (rain), it was a challenge to get the complex setup moving cleanly. This is where flexibility comes in.

Artists were late, some equipment was missing and hard to round up, we had missed a key meeting where information was shared… all challenging stuff. But here’s the deal… our crew is great. Our volunteers were just on point, committed, dare I say… smart. We covered so much ground and did it all the right way. It was a lot to be on top of: 4 areas where artists can paint live  and show their artwork (on a chain link fence), a music stage with sound and lights and all that jazz I know nothing about, an interactive area where festival attendees can paint and draw along with us, and a massive info and merch booth where we’re set up to introduce people to the concept of artlovemagic.

Zachary Scott Pohl was one of many amazing local songwriters that were featured on our stage.

We also dressed the area with several banners and signs. This was a lot to set up. But we did it with a good attitude and we got it right.

Both the live artists and the stage opened about a bit late. That wasn’t really a problem though, as the crowd was delayed just like everyone else. Our artists benefited from getting the extra time to wait for a crowd to enjoy the performances. And those who were there early didn’t seem to mind. It was interesting to watch the artists get their tools out, and hang their work.

When we did get going, the performers on the stage and the live artists were great. I wont list them out right now or gush with individual praise. It’s past midnight and I’ve got to be back at the festival tomorrow.

Jason Ice was back with us and did a Mammoth piece that was connected to his gorgeous Art Park statue.

Interactive stations are a mainstay at ArtLoveMagic. All week we had our audiences creating alongside of us.

I will say I thought our interactive booth was amazing. Adults and children joined the live creation by making leaves and adding them to trees we had painted on 8×4 foot pieces of butcher paper. People loved it. The creativity! The leaves were gorgeous, some attendees sitting down for more than an hour to add to the images.

The trees were gorgeous! Thanks to all of you who added to this piece.

I’m blown away. It was fantastic. Two more days of this. Saturday is the longest. It will likely near a 14 hour day with set up and close. Easter Sunday follows, where we’ll go from 11am until 7pm and then have a whole new job of actually tearing our entire area down and taking EVERYTHING back to our homes and offices.

Yeah. Send us a few good luck wishes if you would.

Joe Townson blew us away with this large wheel carving.

But really, I think it’s going great already. I was so proud of what we put together. A true live area of the festival focusing on emerging Dallas artists, talented people who don’t always have access to this kind of exposure. Everyone we talked to seemed really enthused. The idea of artlovemagic is so attractive to so many people.

Jerod Davies paints, collages, hand sews apparell, raps, and recietes poetry. He did each of these today.

You understand our area is only one small part of this AMAZING and free festival that will rock Deep Ellum all weekend. You should definitely come out and enjoy it all. It’s bigger and better than I expected. Check out www.deepellumartsfestival.com to get in the know. Better yet, come tomorrow.

Look, I gotta go to sleep.

More tomorrow.

-ML

ArtLoveMagic Unplugged – The Fireside Sessions

On December 11th ArtLoveMagic will partner with a new venue – It’s A Grind (Deep Ellum Location), with a cozy, aromatic and delicious new concept.  Some of Dallas’ finest Acoustic musicians will play along side It’s a Grind’s toasty fireplace surrounded by a few hand picked Dallas live visual artists.  While the music is all acoustic, the individual acts couldn’t be more different.

Zachary Scott Pohl has become a Dallas favorite of the singer/songwriter genre through the fine craft of words and story telling to moving music with memorable melodies.

GaydenLee, an indie pop male/female duet is coming out to celebrate the release of their latest EP, “Songs for Thursday”.

The three members of Lenny’s New Legs lead by Deborah Driscoll, will remind you of times gone by with their original soulful, jazzy numbers.

Finally, Parallel Play will be playing their first show back together since the ‘Zombie Hand incident’.  These guys will make you laugh.  ‘Nuff said!

And then there are the Visual artists…

Connor Muldoon – Sculpture

Joe Townson – Abstract Painting

Charlise Hill Larson – Painting/Mixed Media

Jen Sulak – Photography

December 11th * 7:30 – 10:30 pm * Free * It’s A Grind Coffee * 2901 Indiana Blvd, Dallas, TX 75226

More images from Father’s Day

These Father’s Day pics were taken by audience member Josh Dyrk from our Father’s Day event (6/20/09) at the Egg  I Restaurant.

The evening was well attended and enjoyed by many families. This had a very different feel from most artlovemagic events. It was more chill, with the environment providing a laid back atmosphere. The Egg & I put out a beautiful buffet spread and we left open space for people to sit down and just enjoy dinner. The rest of the room was taken up by art displays and live artists working.

We set potter Conor Muldoon dead center in the middle of the room so that attendees could walk 360 degrees around him as he worked. Meanwhile, airbrush artist Eddie Walker worked live on a special Father’s Day inspired piece.

Architectural designer Jim Thompson brought a truly cool setup. He transported an entire office to the show, setting up an environment just like he works in professionally.

We also set up one room as a performance area where musicians and poets entertained the crowd. Jacob Reeves, a new Father himself, brought his Dad, Bart with him to back him up on Harmonica.

Local writer Jay Bookworm was the first one who suggested we do a Father’s Day event. Poets Michael Lagocki, Kylun Rodriguez, and Serena Wills also performed, along with musicians Parallel Play, Something In The Wheel, and Jaimie Reeves.

Joe Townson, who usually does abstract paintings at our events, tried his hand at a figure portrait, even bringing a live model with him to work from. Joe and painter David Rodriguez set up outside on the Egg & I’s porch. Parallel Play went outside late in the night to entertain them since they missed most of the inside performances.

It really was a wonderful night.  This one really didn’t feel like any other I can recall. Different locations, different themes, and different selections of artists create utterly unique experiences each time we go out the door. I think it’s important as an organization that we keep getting new people involved, keep doing new things.

Revolutions take creativity.

photos by Josh Dyrk
post by Michael Lagocki

for more on this event, see our previous post
love-and-family-on-fathers-day

Caring Hands Uganda

Myself and Joe Townson contributed art to a charity event benefitting Caring Hands Uganda last night. The event was at The BEAT at SouthSide Station. It was a gorgeous venue, and there was a lot of beautiful art there.

I entered this piece, a colored pencil that I created the night before during our concert series.

Posted by Michael Lagocki